Clause 54 - Tests as to suitability for multiple occupation
Housing Bill
3:30 pm
Mr John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings, Conservative)
All that would be fine if previous amendments on overcrowding had been accepted, but the fact is that the attempts of the Opposition—and of some Labour Members—to insert overcrowding as a central consideration in earlier parts of the Bill were largely resisted by the Minister, although I acknowledge that the new fitness standard makes some reference to overcrowding. The hon. Gentleman criticises our amendment 269, but surely he does not assume that clause 54(4)(a)(i), which refers to
''bathrooms, toilets, washbasins and showers''
is about aesthetic considerations? We are not talking about the colour of the tiles—we are talking about health, safety and hygiene. Are not health and safety implicit in the clause, and would the clause not be weakened by our amendment being rejected out of hand?